January 14th 1662

Cromwell's Citadel in Perth

Cromwell occupied Perth in 1651 and the city continued to be under the control of his forces until his death in 1658. It was never a particularly popular occupation. Quite apart from the fact that most of the occupying forces were English there was the permanent obligation to provide victuals for Cromwell’s forces at the town’s expense. In addition, the town was required to build a defensive Citadel, sometimes known as Oliver’s Mount.

This was a vast square building, each side being 266 ft in length. The north wall was built parallel to the Greyfriars burial ground with the south wall extending to the South Inch. The river provided the eastern boundary with the western wall crossing Marshall Place. The walls were surrounded by a deep moat, and by the river they built a pier for the loading and unloading of vessels. In one corner of the Citadel quarters were built for the stabling of two hundred horses.

The town suffered severely in the building of the Citadel. It is recorded that one hundred and forty houses were demolished for building material, with the homeless families being made the responsibility of the town. In addition, the hospital, the Grammar School, the stone pillars of the old bridge and sundry kilns and cobbles were also removed for the same purpose. Lastly, the walls of Greyfriars Cemetery and between two hundred and three hundred tombstones were also used in the building of the Mount. Soil from the two Inches was removed to help build the ramparts.

Its capabilities as a defensive structure were never tested and the building did not survive long after Cromwell’s death. In 1661 Charles 2nd made over the Citadel to the town of Perth in consideration of the losses suffered in its construction. The guns and cannon and later the stones were all sold for good prices. But the demolition had scarcely been completed when word was received from the King that the gift had been rescinded and that the town would be required to pay Ł366.16.4d that being computed to be its nominal value. In vain the Town Council pleaded with the Exchequer to think again. “The most part of the stones wherewith the Citadel was built were the stones of the eleven great arches, pillars and support of our demolished bridge; above a third part of the burgh and of the stones of the sepulchres and the wall of our burial place and of the Spey tower, hospital and grammar school....The petitioners desire their losses and sufferings to be seriously considered and hope that the Lords may put such an easy composition upon our signature of the said Citadel as they think fit and find the condition of the burgh to merit.”

Two days later they received a dusty answer. “The Lords ordain the composition……to be paid with certification that if not satisfied presently (i.e. paid immediately) the Lords will make it greater.”

The attitudes of the Exchequer have not changed so very much over the centuries.